Children 10 and younger will be admitted free with a paid adult admission. Admission is $24.95, plus tax, for adults and youth ages 13 and older; the park will donate $5 for every paid ticket to Our Baby R.I.A. Foundation.

Various services and activities will be available for children, such as free eye exams by Wal-Mart Vision Center, games and bouncers with Tri County Inflatables, and a demonstration by the Hernando County Sheriff's K-9 Unit. The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties will have an activity and provide information on voluntary prekindergarten programs.

Also, Hernando County Commissioner Diane Rowden will make a special appearance as she participates during a live mermaid show that day at the attraction.

Our Baby RIA Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to get a pediatric intensive care facility to serve children of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Information is available online at ourbabyriafoundation.org. For information, call Weeki Wachee Springs at (352) 596-2062 or visit online at weekiwachee.com.

SPRING HILL

Luau to help fight childhood obesity

Genesis Health and Fitness, in partnership with Explorer K-8 School, will host a Luau Fundraiser to Fight Childhood Obesity in Hernando County from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at the fitness center, 8411 Balm St., off U.S. 19 (just north of Outback Steakhouse).

The event is a catered luau-style party that will include carnival games, jumping castles, mermaids and belly dancers. There will also be a blood drive with LifeSouth Community Blood Center's bloodmobile from 4 to 6 p.m.

All funds raised will be matched by Genesis and will go toward putting a child through two months of the facility's "Kids in Motion" program, which costs $180 per child. The program is for children ages 6 through 13. Those interested can sponsor a child with a donation of $90, or give a smaller donation or help out by purchasing chances to win prizes in the various carnival games, such as the football toss, basketball challenge, tic-tac-toe and the Dunk Your Trainer.

For information, call 597-9383.

SPRING HILL

Stage West to hold auditions for 2 shows

Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., will conduct auditions for the following shows:

• The Uninvited, 7 p.m. Aug. 15 and 1 p.m. Aug. 16. The cast includes six women and four men ages 20-60. Performances include a preview Oct. 7 and shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 10-19. For information, contact the director, Andrea Gleason, at agleason@tampabay.rr.com or (352) 686-4988.

• 1776, 7 p.m. Aug. 29 and 1 p.m. Aug. 30. The musical includes a cast of 25 men of varying ages and two women in their late 20s or early 30s. There is no chorus. Those auditioning should come prepared to sing, with sheet music. A pianist will be provided. There will be readings from the script. Rehearsals will begin the first week of September, with the show opening Nov. 4. The director is Barbara Everest and musical director is Bobbi Moger. For information, contact Barbara at cabaratbarb@bellsouth.net or (352) 683-4302.

WEEKI WACHEE

Dinner's speaker to talk about happiness

The After 5 Connection Christian Women's Club will host a Country Gatherin' Dinner from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Heather Golf and Country Club, 7406 St. Andrew's Blvd.

The speaker will be Jo Ayres of DeBary; her topic is "Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A." Musician John Lain will entertain.

The cost is $10. Reservations are required by Aug. 7. Call Pauline at (352) 688-5687 or Marian at (352) 666-1256.